Thanks Goodness! Judge Who Denies Undocumented Immigrants Access to the Courts — in Violation of the Law — Not Confirmed

The Hartford Courant reports that the nomination of Judge John R. Downey to the Connecticut Appellate Court stalled after legislators questioned whether Downey had misled them earlier by downplaying a suggestion he made last year that illegal immigrants had no right to use the courts. Before the hearing, Downey faced questions about his suggestion from the bench in 2006 that the estate of an illegal immigrant might have no legal standing in a worker’s compensation case. On Tuesday, he downplayed his remarks, portraying them as an “intellectual challenge” to a plaintiff’s attorney. ”  But the committee recessed the hearing after obtaining transcripts of two divorce hearings in May 2002 in which Downey flatly stated that he does not allow illegal immigrants access to civil or family courts. Both cases (coincidentally) involved parties with Hispanic names. “Why should a person become a U.S. citizen if they can otherwise enjoy the same rights as the rest of us, especially after 9/11?” Downey said during a divorce hearing.

He opened another hearing the same day by asking if a Latino man seeking a divorce was a legal resident. “Yes, he is, your honor,” replied the man’s attorney, Philip Berns. “All right,” Downey said. “Show me his green card, please.”

KJ